Homogenizing mill



Deu. 3, 1929.

w. EPPENBAQH HOMOGENI Z ING MILL Filed July 19. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Dec. 3, 1929. I

W. EPPENBACH HMOGENIZING MILL Filed July l9.- 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 hfiNvgNroR/,

/ ATT NEY."

Dec.. 3 1929. w, EPPENBACH 1,738,288

HOMOGENI Z ING MILL Filed July 19. 192'? s shamsneer s INVENTOR latented Dec.. 3, 1929 UNITED STATES l,738,28&

WILLIAM EPPENBACH, F COLLEGE IPOINT,v

NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED STATES COLLOID IIlIILl'.. CORPORATION, OFLONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE iafoinoefnnIzrnoMILL Application filed July 19,

This invention relates to colloid and other homogenizing and emulsifyingmills.

My invention is particularly adapted to colloid mills comprisingrotating emulsifying t surfaces which are relatively adjustable in thegap, i. e., the spacial relation of the surfaces from one another.preferably smooth. y

The rotor members for homogenizing, grinding and other treatment arepreferably of ring or annular formation and the material to be treatedis led to the rotor members peripherally outwardly of the rings orannuli, and pressure impressed upon the material to bring the materialbetween the gap.

lln the more simple types of the most preferred forms of my invention,two rotor members are employed and are rotated in opposite directions.The homogenizing or emulsifying rings or annuli are removably positionedon the two rotor members, to .provide for the substitution of rings orannuli of varying radial extents of the effective surfaces, land therebyregulate the area and therewith the time interval of treatment for givendimensions of the gap between the effective surfaces. In such types ofmy invention, the shafts of the rotors may be driven by separate motorsor belts, thus attaining economy in motor investment and in theconsumption of current required.

ln the use of two rotor members, one rotor only ma be mounted to beaxially adjustable, to there y regulate the effective gap between theemulsifying or homogenizing surfaces.

My invention yfurther includes improvements in the arrangement of thecasing of the mill, to facilitate theassembly and disassembly of thecasing and the exposure of the rotor members for cleansin and inspectionpurposes, and also for the su stitution of the yariable emulsifying orhomogenizing suraces.

My invention further embodies improve- Such surfaces are ing for thedischarge of the treated material, and particularly for attaining acontinuous discharge during the stage of operation of the mill and alsofor recluding all possibility of contamination ofp the material by thelubriments in the construction of the parts serv-v 1927. Serial N0.206,969.

cation supplied to the bearings of the rotor shafts.

Further features and objects of the invention will be more fullyunderstood from the following detail description and the accompanyingdrawings, in which ig. l is a vertical sectional elevation of apreferred form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation on line 2-2 of Fig. l

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, with certainforwardly positioned parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation on line 4-4 of Fig. 1, certain of theforwardly positioned parts being broken away; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation on line- 5-5 of Fig. 1. f

Referring to the drawings, my mill is illustrated of the horizontallyrotating type, and

VA'of such-type comprises a casing 10 having laterally extending bosses11, 12 for the extension therethrough of the respective horizontallyextending'shafts 13, 14 of the respective rotor members y15, 16,described more fully hereinafter.

Each boss 11, 12 is preferablyprovided with suitable packing means, suchas a packing ring 17 seated in' an annular recess in the boss andisisecured in adjustable sealing pears in Fig. 4, and correspondinglyrelative to the shaft 14. Such arrangement enables the casing 10 to-bereadily opened up and cleansed during the stages of use of my mill, andsimilarly to be readily re-asselnbled, as is described more fullyhereinafter.

Each casing section is` preferably channeled to provide for the How oftemperature regulating `fluids usually for cooling purposes, in whichinstance water may be employed. The channel of the half section 10a isdesignated 21, and extends to the right of the center line of the shaft13, see Fig. 4, and provides for the cooling of the whole of the section10, The channel of the lefthand section 10", see Fig. 4, is designated22 and similarly provides for the cooling of the whole of the section10".

The suppyllpf the water or other temperature contro g fluid is'eonnectedto either opening 23 or 24, see Fig. 2, say the opening 24 of theleft-hand casing` section 10", in which event the water ows directlyinto the channel 22 of the left-hand section 10? The channel 22- isconnected by the adjustable union 25 and connected nipples, see Figs. 4and 1, with the channel 21 of the right-hand casing section 10, see alsoFig. 2, the openings 26 of the channel 22 communicating with one endofthe union 25 and the opening 27 of the channel 21 communicating withthe opposite end of the union 25.

The sections are locked to one another by means o.r suitable couplingand preferably combined supporting means, such as a lug 28 on theopposite faces of the casing section 1()a for receiving the bolt 2,9 andsimilarly a lug 30'on the opposite faces of the casing section 10b forreceiving the opposite end of the bolt 29. The nut for one end of thebolt 29 is indicated at 31' and the nut for the opposite end of the boltis indicated at 32..

f, Preferably, each bolt 29 is anchored in position, as by means of thelug 33 integral with or otherwise secured to the base 34 of my mill, seeFigs. 1 and 2; each bolt 29 may be secured in position by means of aset-screw 35. 1

In such instance of vertically meeting sections of the casing 10, eachpacking ring 19 serves also to hold the sections in mutually sealingrelation about the respect-ive shafts 13, 14.

As a pears in the drawing, the base 34 is referalbly of anintegralcasting, which may e hollowed out for the purpose of attaining lightnessof weight and rigidity. As appears more fully hereinafter, the base 34referably includes an integral extension 36 or supporting the-right-handbearing, i. e. of the shaft 13, see Fig. 1, and also an integralextension 37 projecting to the right for support of the discharge of themill; the base 34 may also include an integral portion 38 for support ofthe left-hand bearmg of my machine, namelyfor the shaft 14.

The upper abutting `joints of the twopart, vertically abutting sections10, 1()b are also preferably adjustably locked to one an-v other, as byme/ans of a lug,3 9,. integral or secured to the casing section 10,having an opening for receiving a bolt or threaded pin 40, andaco-Operating` lug 41 integral or K the otherwise rigidly secured to thecasing section 10". The lug 41 is preferably formed to rmly retain a pin40, as by means of a transverse pin 42 passing through a transverseopening 43'in the lu 41 and a suitable registering opening in t e bolt40. Such arrangement, see Fig. 2, is advantageous to provi e for aclearance adjacent t e inlet 44 in the .casing section 10b for theinflow of the material to be treated and communicating with the interior45, see also Fig. 1, of the mill surrounding the emulsifyingr surfaces,as a pears more fully hereinafter. The tightenmg nut for the threadedend of in 40 appears at46, see Fig. 2.

T e rotor members 15, 16 are preferably removably supported on theirrespective .shafts 13, 14 as by screw-threaded connection therewith,indicated respectively at 47, 48. In the form of my machine illustratedin the drawings, one rotor 15 is preferably rotated in one direction andthe other rotor 16 is rotated in the opposite direction, and accordinglythe threadings 47, 48 respectively extend in directions opposite to thedirections of rotation, to thereby more firmly seat the rotors in theirrespective opposite directions of rotation upon encountering frictionaland other resistance in use.

The emulsifying or grinding face of the rotor member 15 is indicated at49 and the emulsifying or grinding face of the rotor member 16 isindicated at 50; the faces 49, 50, are preferably respectively annularrings and removably mounted on their respective rotor members 15, 16, asby means of the securing bolts 51, passing through countersunk openingson the rear faces of the rotors 15, 16, and tapped into suitablethreaded open- Liirgs on the rear faces of the respective rings Theinflow of the colloid mixture or other material to be emulsified orotherwise treated is disposed at any suitable location. As indicatedabove, for a vertically abutting twopart casing, the inlet ispreferablyprovided in one of the casing halves, such as the casingsection 10", say, at the top, at the location '44, which may be adjacentthe lug 41, em-

ployed, as above described, for the assembly and disassembly of thecasing sections.

The bearing for the shaft 13 is indicated at 52, preferably of the ballor other antifriction type; the bearing cage 52 is received within thebearing housing 36, which, as indicated above, may be integral with themachine base 34. An oil cup 53 is indicated for the bearing 52.v Thebearing cage for the shaft 14 is. indicated at 54, having an oil cup 55and is housed within the housing 38 carried by or integral with the base33, as preferred. As is set forth more fully hereinafter, the bearingcage 54 is locked to the shaft 14 together with the adjusting ring, tothereby regulate the grinding gap between the ative to the ring 49.

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In the types of my invention as illustrated in the drawings, one of theshafts 13, 14, is`

hollowed, or otherwise sage for the discharge o from a centralregionbetween the rings 49, 56. In the drawings, I have shown the shaft13 as hollowed, as is indicated at 56, see Fig. 1, by boring for aportion thereof extending beyond its bearing 52 to the dischargeopenings 57, see also Fig. 5. The openings 57 communicate with theinterior of the hollow xed housing 58, from which the treated materialis discharged through its outlet 59 through suitable piping orotherwise. The packing rings 60 and adjustable Vnuts 61 are provided forsealing the shaft 13 on the opposite sides of the vdischarge openings57.

It will be observed that the bearings 53, 54,' for the respective shafts13, 14 are disposed at materially spaced distances from the resecprovided with a pastive packing rings 17 and 60, thereby o viating allpossibility of leakage of the lubrication along the outer surface -ofthe shaft 13 into the interior of the casing 10 and the dischargehousing 58.

Une or both of the two rotor members 15, 16 are arranged to beadjustable relative to the other or relative to one another, for thepurpose of regulating the degree of spacing vbetween the grinding faces49, -`50. A convenient form of such adjustment is had by mounting thenon-hollow shaft, this instance the shaft 14, to be axially adjustableand the hollow shaft, in this instance the shaft 13,

Ior equivalent fixed location.

substantially fixed in rotational position.

A convenient form of adjustable mounting for the shaft 14 comprises abearing housing 62 one anular wall 63 of which abuts the bearing cage54, and the opposite annular wall abuts the tightening n ut 64 and itslocking nut 64. The tightening and locking nuts 64, 65 screW-threadedlymesh with the threading 66 of the shaft 14, and the shaft 14 is reducedindiameter as is indicated at 67 to receive the inner bearing ring 54sof the cage 54. The bearing housing`62 at its outer face is flangedanniilarly and provided with one or more handles 68, see Figs. 1 and 3.The bearing housing 62 is provided with suitable means for retaining thebearing cage 54 and therewith the shaft 14 at any desired axially setposition. Such retaining means may'comprise a series of apertures 69 inthe outer flange of the bearing cage 62, I `co-operating with a'pin 70having a handle 71 and a recess 72 in the bearingrmounting 38,

h apertures 68 are preferably spaced definite istan'ces from oneanotherto thereby provide for definite variation of spacing between theadjustable rin 50 and the fixed ring 49. The circular la es 73, securedby screws 74 to the ange o the bearing housing 62, serves as a thetreated material closure for the central portion ol the bearing housing62. The circular plate'75 serves as a closure for the iixed bearing cage52, and is secured in position by screws 76, tapped in the end face ofthe bearing 36.

For convenience, the upper ring portion 36 of the bearing 36 isremovably mounted by bolts, see Figs. 1 and 3, similarly the upperpringportion 38a of the bearing 38, see Fig. 3, as well as the intermediatering portion 38".

It will also be appreciated that in the use of my mill for homogenizing,say within the range from two one-thousandths of an inch to twentythousandths of an inch and greater, the abutting or active surfaces ofthe rings 49, 50 become worn, and particularly for high speeds of from300 R. P. M. and upwards, so that the adjustment of the adjustablegrinding ring 50 relative to the fixed grinding face 40- serves also tocompensate for such wear of the grinding surfaces.

Preferably, the edective surfaces of the rings 49, 50 are smooth,particularly when employed within homogenizing range of the gap. When mymill is employed for Wider gaps, and in other instances, the rings maybe provided with grooved or other non-smooth effective surfaces.

In the form of mymill as illustrated in the drawings, two driving motorsare employed; the shaft of one motor is operatively connected with theshaft 14 and the shaft of the other motor operatively connected with theshaft 13. Preferably, each connection of the mill shafts with its motorshaft is by means of a coupling which provides for axial play betweenthe motor shaft and its driven rotor shaft. Thus, as is illustrated inFig. 1, the motor shaft designated 75 is keyed axially in one opening 76of the two-part clamping coupling 7.7 and the outer end of the rotorshaft 13 is keyed in the other opening 78 of the coupling 77; theopenings 76, 78, are respectively of diameters substantially of therespective coupled shafts 75, 13, and are disposed in axial alignmentand substantially concentric with one another, the depthsof the openings76, 78 being suiiicient to provide a clearance 79 for suflicient playbetween the ends of the shafts 75, 13. The two halves or parts of thecoupling 77 are clamped to one another and tothe respective shafts 13,75, by the sets of bolts 80.

Thecoupling for the shaft 14 with the shaft of its motor, alsodesignated 77, and indicated at the left-hand side of Fig. 1, is ofsimilar construction.

By reason of the coupling 77 between the motor shaft 75 and thesubstantially fixed rotor shaft 13, the clearance 79 between the ends ofthe shafts may be set for a low spacing, and for the adjustable shaft`14and its driving motor shaft, a larger clearance may be provided. Whenadjustment is made between coupled shafts, the screws of the clampingbolts 80 of the coupling 77 are loosened, to permit the shaft 14 to befreely moved axially of its length to attain desired setting, afterwhich the bolts 80 of its coupling 77 are tightened. l

I also provide an outlet for my mill for the removal of any sediment orother foreign substance, which may be in the form of a passage 81, seeFigs. 1 and 2, disposed, say, within the casing section 10b andextending downwardly and laterally to the discharge opening 82 having aplug 83.

The operation of mymill will be largelyv the material between theeffective surfaces of the rings 49, 50. The treated material accumulateswithin th space between the body portions ofthe rotor members 15, 16 andis discharged through the hollow passage 56 of the hollow shaft 13, thenthrough the openings 57 into the interior of the discharge .housing 58,and thence through the outlet 59 through suitable piping leading to atank or othe reservoir for the treated material.

When my mill is employed for homogenizing gaps, pressure on the materialin advance of its flow between the rings 49, 50 is required; suchpressure may be had by a stand pipe for providing hydrostatic pressureor by meansof a centrifugal or other pump for positively feeding thematerial under pressure into the inlet 44 of the mill.

The annular rings 49, 50, are provided as sets of two each, havingsubstantially the same outer diameter but of different inner diameter,to thereby regulate the effective area and consequent time period oftreatment of the material.v

When it is desired to cleanse my mill, the suppl piping to the inlet 44may be disconnecte the nuts 31, 32 of the respective lower clampingbolts 29 are removed and the nuts 46 of the upper clamping pins 40removed. The packing rings 19 and the union 25 are now removed,whereupon the two halves 10a, 10b of the casing 10 areV readilyseparated from one another to fully expose all'the surfaces of the samefor cleansing. When tho casing sections have been disassembled the'rotor members with their emulsifying or homogenizing surfaces are alsofully exposed for cleansing and inspection.

The removable feature of the emulsifying or homogenizing rings permitsanother set of rings of desired inner diameter and desired increased ordecreased surface area to be substituted. l

The removable mounting of the emulsifying or homogenizing rings alsoattains the advantage of forming theibody orother portions of cast steeland the rings of Monel or other hardened steel or other preferredmaterial.

It will be observed that the construction of the casing sections,preferably abutting in a vertical plane, and jointly secured to oneanother and supported on a common base, enables the sections to bereadily uncoupled for cleansing or inspection or substitution andreadily assembled into sealed relationship.

Such common base construction preferably embodies or has integraltherewith the bearings for the rotor shafts and the discharge housingthereby insuring accuracy and permanency of the relative rotation of theeffective faces of the rotors at the gap to which the rotors are set.

The operation of my device will be understood largely from the foregoingdescription. The extent or width of the gap is determined by the natureof the treatment desired and dependent upon the character of thematerial treated. For grinding purposes the effective faces of therotors may be nonsmooth, whereas smooth faces are advantageous foremulsifying and homogenizing the material in film status, particularlyatghigh speeds of relative rotation between the rotors and their narrowaps. fTo determine the extent or width o `the gap, the adjusting ring 62is rotated, in the proper direction to cause the effective faces of therotors to become in engagement, which sets the zero reading Theadjusting ring 62 is turned kin the opposite direction for the number ofopenings 69 corresponding to the extent or width of the gap desired. Thearcuate spacing of the opening 69 determines the extent or width of thega in terms of the pitch of the threading o the adjusting ring 62. Uponwear of the effective faces, which is substantially uniform over theeffective area, the zero reading is correspondingly changed, and thesame procedure of setting 1s carried out.'

Whereas, I have described my invention by reference to specific formsthereof, it will be understood that many changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a mill, the combination of a casing, a plurality of elementsdisposed in said cas- `mg and havin co-operatng surfaces adapt- ,l edfor emulsi ying, grinding or homegenizing,A shafts respectively for saidelements, one of said shafts havin a hollow portion extending to aregion Wilin said casing between said elements, means for rotatablymounting said shafts in arallel relation in said casing, means foraxially adjusting one of said shafts, .means for leading the material tobe treated to a region in said casing peripherally exteriorly of saidelements, and means co-operating with said hollow shaft portion for thedischarge of the treated material from said casing.

2. In a mill, the combination of a casing,

a plurality of elements disposed in said casing and having co-operatingsurfaces adapted for emulsifying, grinding or homogenizing, shaftsrespectively for said elements, one of said shafts being disposedsubstantially horizontally and having a hollow portion extending to aregion within said casing between said elements, means for rotatablymounting said shafts in parallel relation in said casing, means foraxially adjusting one of said shafts, means for leading the material tobe treated to a region in said casing peripherally exteriorly of saidelements, and means co-operating with said hollow shaft portion for thedischarge of the treated material fromv said casing. j 3., In a mill,the combination of a casing, a plurality of elements disposed in saidcasing and havin co-operating surfaces adapted for emulsiigying grindingor homogenizing, .shafts respectively for said elements, one of saidshafts having a hollow portion extending to a region within said casingbetween said elements, means for rotatably mounting said shafts inparallel relation in said casing, means for axially adjusting one ofsaid shafts, means for leading the material to be treated to a region insaid casing peripherally exteriorly of said elements, means co-operatingwith said hollow shaft portion for the discharge of the treated materialfrom said casing, means for rotating said shafts and means connectingsaid rotating means with said certain one shaft for providing axial`adjustment between said certain one shaft and said rotating means.

4. In a mill, the combination of a casing, a plurality of elementsdisposed in said casing and having co-operating surfaces adapted foremulsifying, grinding or homogenizing, shafts respectively for saidelements, one of said shafts having a hollow portion extending to aregion within said casing between said elements, means for rotatablymounting said shafts in parallel relation in said casing, means foraxially adjusting one of said shafts, means-for leading the material tobe treated to a region in said casing peripherally exteriorly of saidelements, means co-operating with said hollow shaft portion for thedischarge of the treated material from said casing,rseparate means forrotating said shafts and means disposed betweenjsaid certain one shaftand its rotatingrmeans for providing axial adjustment between saidcertain one shaft and its rotating means.

, 5. In a mill, vthe combination of a casing, a plurality of elementsdisposed in said casing and having co-operating surfaces'adapted foremulsifying, grinding or homogenizing, shafts respectively for saidelement-s, one of said shafts being disposed substantially horizontallyand having a hollow portion extending to a region within said casingbetween said elements, means for rotatably mounting said shafts inparallel relation in said casing, means for axially adjusting one ofsaid shafts, means for leading the material to be treated to a region insaid casing peripherally exteriorly of said elements, means co-operatingwith said hollow shaft portion for the discharge of the treated materialfrom said casing, separate means for rotating said shafts and meansdisposed between said certain one shaft and its rotating means forproviding axial adjustment between said certain one shaft and itsrotating means.

6. In a mill, the combination of a-casing, a plurality of rotorsdisposed within said casing, annular surfaces respectively carried bysaid rotors and co-operating with one another for emulsifying, grindingor homogenizing material to be treated, shafts respectively for saidrotors, one of said shafts having a hollow portion extending to a regionwithin said casing between said elements, means for rotatably mountingsaid shafts in parallel relation in said casing, means for axiallyadjusting one of said shafts, means for leading the material to betreated to a region in said casing peripherally exteriorly of saidelements, and means co-operating with said hollo7 shaft portion for thedischarge of the treated material from said casing.

7. In a mill, the combination of a casing, a plurality of rotorsdisposed within said casing, annular surfaces respectively removablycarried by said rotors and co-operating with one another foremulsifying, grinding or homogenizing material to be treated, shaftsrespectively for said rotors, one of said shafts having a hollow portionextending to a region within said casing between said elements, meansfor rotatably mounting said shafts in parallel relation in said casing,means for axially adjusting one of said shafts, means for leading thematerial to be treated to a region in said cas-ing peripherallyexteriorly of said elements, and means co-operating with said hollowshaft portion for the discharge of the treated material from saidcasing.

8. In a mill, the combination of a casing, a plurality of rotorsdisposed within said casing, annular surfaces respectively carried bysaid rotors and co-operating with one another for emulsifying, grindingor homogelnizing material to be treated, shafts respectively for saidrotors, one of said shafts being disposed substantially horizontally andhaving a hollow portion extending to a region within said casing betweensaid elements, means for rotatably mounting said shafts in ico parallelrelation. in said casing, means for axially adjusting one of saidshafts, means for leading the material to be treated to a region in saidcasing peripherally exteriorly of said elements, and means co-operatingwith said hollow shaft port-ion for the discharge of the treatedmaterial from said casing.

9. In a mill, the combination of a casing, a plurality of rotorsdisposed within said casing, annular surfaces respectively removablycarried by said rotors and co-operating with one another foremulsifying, grinding or homogenizing material to be treated, shaftsrespectively for said rotors, one of said shafts being disposedsubstantially horizontally and having a hollow portion extending to aregion within said casing between said elements,

means for rotatably mounting said shafts in parallel relation in saidcasing, means for axially adjusting one of said shafts. means forleading the material to be treated to a region in said casingperipherally exteriorly of said elements, and means co-operating withsaid hollow shaft portion for the discharge of the treated material fromsaid casing.

10. In a mill, the combination of a casing, said casing being formed ofsect-ions abutting one another substantially in a vertical plane,

a plurality of elements disposed in said casing and havingV co-operatingsurfaces adapted for emulsifving, grinding or homogenizing, shaftsrespectively for said elements, one of said shafts being disposedsubstantially' in a horizontal plane and having a hollow portionextending to a region within said casing between said elements, meansfor rotatably mounting said shafts in parallel relation in said casing,means for axially adjusting one of said shafts, means for leading thematerial to be treated to a region in said casing peripherallyexteriorily of said elements,and means co-operating with said hollowshaft portion for the discharge of the treated material from saidcasing.

11. In a mill,the combination of a casing,

said casing beingr forme-d of sect-ions abutting one anothersubstantially in a vertical plane, each casing section having hollowwalls for the flow therethrough of a temperature controlling medium, aplurality of elements dis- `posed in said casing and having co-operatingsurfaces adapted for emulsifying, grinding or homogenizing, shaftsrespectively for said elements, one of said shafts being disposedsubstantially in a horizontal plane and havingaV hollow portionextending to a region within said casing between said elements, a

means for rotatably mounting said shafts in parallel relation. in saidcasing, means for axially adjusting one of said shafts, means forleading the material` to be treated to a region in said casingperipherally exteriorily of said elements, and means cro-operating withsaid hollow shaft portion for the da charge of the treated material fromsaid casing.

12. In a mill, the combination of a casing, said casing being formed ofsections abutting one another substantially in a vertical plane, eachcasing section having hollow walls, means connecting said hollow wallswith one another for the iiow therethrough of a common temperaturecontrolling medium, a plurality of elements disposed in said casing andhaving co-operating surfaces adapted for emulsifying, grinding orhomogenizing, shafts respectively for said elements, one of said shaftsbeing disposed substantially in a horizontal plane and having a hollowportion extending to a region within said casing between said elements,means for rotatably mounting said shafts in parallel relation in saidcasing` means for axially adjusting one of said shafts, means forleading the mat-erial to be treated to a region in saidcasingperipherally exteriorly of said elements, and means co-operatingwith said hollow shaft portion for the discharge of the treated materialfrom said casing.

13. In a mill, the combination of a casing, said casing being formed ofsections abutting one another substantially in a vertical plane, aplurality of elements disposed in said casing and having co-operatingsurfaces adapted for emulsifying, grinding or homogenizing, shaftsrespectively for said elements, one of said shafts being disposed insubstantially a horizontal plane and having a hollow portion extendingto a region within said casing between said elements. the remainingshaft being substantially in alignment axially with said one shaft,means for rotatably mounting said shafts in said casing, means foraxially adjusting one of said shafts, means for leading the material tobe treated to a region in said casing peripherally exteriorly of saidelementari-nd means co-operating with said hollow shaft portion for thedischarge of the treated material from said casing.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification this 24th day ofJune, 1927.

W'ILLLLMv EPPENBACH.

